A History of Visual Identity: Tracing the Evolution of the Hood College Logo
For over 130 years, Hood College, a private institution in Frederick, Maryland, has been dedicated to preparing students for successful careers and responsible citizenship. The college's visual identity, including its logo, has evolved over time, reflecting its history, values, and aspirations. This article explores the historical progression of the Hood College logo, from its early beginnings to its current representation.
The Founding and Early Years
Hood College traces its roots to 1893 when the Potomac Synod of the Reformed Church of the United States established the Woman’s College of Frederick. The college was officially chartered in 1897 with the purpose of promoting the advancement of women and the cultivation of literature, science, and art. Located in Winchester Hall in Downtown Frederick, the college welcomed its first class of 83 students with a faculty of eight. In 1898, the first baccalaureate degrees were awarded to 14 women.
In 1897, Margaret Scholl Hood's gift enabled the College to acquire a 28-acre tract of farmland, laying the foundation for its present campus. In 1912, the Board of Trustees recognized Mrs. Hood's generosity by voting to change the college's name.
The Transition to Hood College and the Emergence of a Seal
In 1913, the Woman's College was renamed "Hood College" in honor of Margaret Scholl Hood, a staunch believer in higher education for women. She bequeathed an additional $30,000 to the college, provided that it changed its name to "Hood College".
Around 1912, the original college seal came into use. Jacobine Holly, a Frederick Woman’s College faculty member from 1893 to 1899, is credited with creating the artwork for the original College seal. The college seal was adapted from the cover of a German magazine of hers and represents a man and woman seated amid products of invention, industry, discovery, literature and art.
Read also: Your Guide to Hood College Dining
President Apple noted that the college’s motto, "Corde, et mente, et manu," meaning "with heart and mind and hand," came from Holly. The motto signifies the importance of the heart to conceive, the mind to direct, and the hand to execute.
Evolution of the Seal
Former library director Jan Samet O’Leary compared the three major versions of the seal which are the “1897” version that dates from around 1915, the 1948 version and the “modern” version from the 1980s. The original and a subsequent seal featured two women. However, the newest version of the seal features a woman and a man, as the original version did.
In 2014, senior graphic designer Kit Peteranecz, Samet O’Leary and then-executive director of marketing Dave Diehl collaborated with the minting company Medallic Arts to come up with this new version, which they believe is true to the original art work and evokes the mission of Hood College.
The Modern Logo: A Synthesis of Tradition and Contemporary Design
The official Hood College logo is a representation of both our history and our vision for the future. It is a graphic identity that is representative of our deeply rooted traditions and our longstanding heritage of excellence. At the same time, its stylish nature lends a contemporary, forward-moving feel. The symbol is incorporated into a distinctive, customized arrangement of Electra typography to form the complete logo. The Hood College name is presented in a contemporary, sophisticated style befitting our goal of delivering an excellent, relevant, values-based educational experience for our students and maintaining a challenging educational environment for the outstanding faculty. The official logo and guidelines for its use provide a touchstone of continuity for all our communications.
The college employs specific guidelines for the use of its logo. Whenever possible, the logo should be printed in its specified PMS colors or in a process color conversion of those PMS colors. The Frederick, Maryland, version is an acceptable option in any situation. For situations where the primary logo will not suit the application due to limitation of space or format, it is acceptable to use the alternate logo version printed in the specified PMS colors or in a process color conversion of those PMS colors.
Read also: Universal Hood Scoops
The Shield: A Stand-Alone Graphic
The graphic mark was designed for incorporation with the logo or as a stand-alone graphic. When used as a stand-alone graphic, the mark should appear only in the following specified colors: PMS 647, PMS Warm Gray 6, black, or a screen of black. If the PMS colors are not an option, the process color conversions are always acceptable. The mark may also be produced as a watermark or as a white knock out graphic on a solid background of black, PMS 647, or PMS Warm Gray 6.
The Seal: A Symbol of Tradition and Ceremony
The College will use the official seal in selected applications. Often, these occasions are limited to legal documents and other ceremonial applications, such as the diploma, and will be determined exclusively by the President or a designated representative. There are two versions of the official seal: a one-color version and a gold foil version for ceremonial applications.
Athletic Identity: The Blazers Logo
The official Hood College Blazers logo represents all sports teams. It is a graphic identity that represents traditions, strength, and excellence in athletic achievements. It is a mark that is classic yet powerful. The symbol is incorporated with the customized Blazers typeface to form the complete logo. Whenever it appears, it conveys the integrity of Hood College Sports Teams. The official logo and guidelines provide a unified and consistent image for all our communications.
Whenever possible, use the primary logo version, printed in its specified PMS color or in a process color conversion of the PMS color.
Blaze Head Graphic Mark
The Blaze Head graphic mark was designed for incorporation with the logo or as a stand-alone graphic. When used as a stand-alone graphic, the mark should appear only in the following specified colors: PMS 647, PMS Warm Gray 6, black, or a screen of black.
Read also: Explore Hood College's athletic programs
The Evolution of the Blazers Mascot: From "White Sweater" Girl to Blaze
Hood College athletics began in 1898 with the first basketball team. In the early 1900s, field hockey, tennis, archery and swimming were among the sports added to the athletics program. The nickname for Hood athletics is the Blazers. This dates back to the 1920s when the campus elected a rising senior as the "White Sweater" girl as someone who possessed the most sportsmanship and school spirit.
Hood’s first-ever costumed mascot, Blaze, made its debut in a surprise flash mob performance at the end of the traditional Convocation ceremony in 2010. Doug Raftery ’12, Bilal Syed ’11, Brittany Lethbridge ’13 and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee spearheaded the mascot project. of Canada designed the costume, based on the Hood Blazers logo, which was designed in 2005.
The mascot and the Blazers logo were intended to reflect Hood’s history and tradition. The logo includes the graphical depiction of a horse's head, including a windswept mane and a white streak on its head, which on a horse is called a "blaze." The College’s and the state of Maryland’s long history with equestrianism also played a role in the selection of the mascot.
Blaze has two outfits-a Hood College sports jersey and shorts, and a blue slacks and white blazer outfit. The blazer was once part of the College tradition when white jackets, or blazers, were presented to exemplary student-athletes. Blaze regularly makes appearances at athletic, campus and community events.
tags: #Hood #College #logo #history
